Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

Numbers: As of May 11, there are 17,330 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of  208 cases in the last 24 hours.
Visit the Department of Health’s website for cases by county, demographics, and more.

Statewide Response Updates 

Contact tracing initiative: Gov. Jay Inslee announced the launch of a statewide contact tracing plan today that will allow more businesses to open and more people to be active in public while helping to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is another tool in the toolbox for tackling COVID-19 in Washington.  Local health departments will lead these efforts while the state Department of Health and its partners will support this work.  

The information collected is only used by public health professionals and is confidential. It will not be shared. Contacts will not be told the name of the person who may have exposed them to COVID-19. Read the rest of the story on the governor’s Medium page. 

Three proclamations extended: Governor Inslee announced the extension of three proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. A May 11, 2020, letter from the Legislature extends proclamations 20-28 and 20-31 until May 31, 2020. The statutory waivers and suspensions cited in 20-33.1 are extended until May 18, 2020.   20-28.3: Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act (The PRA 5-day waiver was modified to exclude all requests made electronically.)  20-31.2: DCYF Child Care and Background Checks 20-33.3: DCYF Visitation and Remedial Services. Click here for more information regarding the Governor’s proclamations.  

Guidance for resuming dine-in restaurants: Gov. Jay Inslee issued guidance for partially resuming the dine-in restaurant and tavern industry for counties granted variance under the Safe Start Phase 2 recovery plan laid out last week.  Through the Washington “Safe Start” plan, more businesses and activities will re-open in subsequent phases with adequate safety and health standards in place. Each phase will be at least three weeks — metrics and data will guide when the state can move from one phase to another.   

Through the Safe Start approach, counties with a population of less than 75,000 that have not had a new case of COVID-19 in the past three weeks can apply for a variance to move to Phase 2 of “Safe Start” before other parts of the state. County variance applications will be approved or denied by the secretary of the Department of Health. Eight counties have received the variance. For counties granted variance to move to Phase 2, restaurant operations may resume with limitations after meeting specific criteria, effective May 11, 2020. 

Guidance documents for more information:  

• Memo: Dine-In Restaurants 
• Phase 2 Dine-In Restaurant and Tavern Industry COVID-19 Requirements 

Premium forgiveness for some health insurance policies: Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said he welcomes the effort of two health insurers doing business in Washington to provide short-term premium forgiveness to many of their policyholders.

The short-term premium forgiveness is the result of consumers postponing elective surgeries and other medical care during the coronavirus pandemic. Insurance companies have seen claims decline during this period. Learn about coronavirus and insurance. 

Resources  

Washington 211 COVID-19 Call Center: Do you need information or answers to your questions and concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? You can call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.  

Interested in volunteering during disasters and significant events like COVID-19? Register with the Washington State Emergency Registry of Volunteers (WAserv) to partner with public health and others who need assistance in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.